# Khan Sahib

Khan Sahib - a compound of Khan "Leader" and Sahib "Master" - was a formal title of respect and honour, which was conferred mainly on Muslim, and also on Parsi, Irani, and Jewish subjects of the British Indian Empire. It was a title one degree lower than Khan Bahadur, but higher than that of Khan.
The title was conferred along with a Title Badge and a citation (Sanad) and the recipient was entitled to prefix the title to his name. The title was conferred on behalf of the British Indian Government by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India.
The title "Khan Sahib" was originally conferred by the Mughal Empire on Muslim subjects in recognition of public services rendered and was adopted by the British Indian Empire for the same purpose. Hindu subjects of the British Indian Empire were conferred the title of "Rai Sahib". Since there were no separate titles for Parsi and Jewish subjects, the British Indian Empire conferred the Muslim title of Khan Sahib to Parsi and Jewish subjects as well.
The chronological list of recipients below is not exhaustive.
* 1904 Khan Sahib Karmally Joosab for personal distinction.
* 1912 Ismail Merathi Indian poet and educationist, was given the title for his literary and educational services.
* 1914 Syed Ahmad Dehlvi Author of Farhang-e-Asifiya.
* 1919 Dr. Alibhai Mahomedbhai Mansuri was conferred the title of Khan Sahib as a personal distinction
* 1920 Sir Mohammad Usman of Madras was conferred the title of Khan Sahib. He later went on to obtain the titles of Khan Bahadur and Knight Commander of the Indian Empire. Sir Mohammad Usman became the first Indian acting Governor of Madras Presidency and a member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council.
* 1923 Khan Sahib Muhammad Usman Khan Mohmand was conferred the title of Khan Sahib as a personal distinction. In 1919 he was appointed as Assistant Political Officer, Tochi , North-West Frontier Province.
* 1925 M. K. Khader Pillay Municipal President of Alwaye, Madras Presidency.
* 1926 Barrister Ghulam Ahmed Khan of Ludhiana earned the title for his services in judiciary and field of law. He completed his Bar from the Middle Temple during the year 1921.
* 1930 Musharraf Hossain Inspector of Schools, Dacca Division, of Kashba Majail, Pangsha, Faridpur.
* 1931 Chaudhry Niaz Ali Khan of Jamalpur for public service spanning 30 years by the 32nd Viceroy and Governor-General of India, Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon.
* 1934 Mir Afzal Khan Deputy Superintendent of Police, for meritorious police services awarded by the 22nd Viceroy and Governor-General of India, The Earl of Willingdon.
* Colonel Khan Muhammad Khan from Poonch, Kashmir, Pakistan was given the Khan Sahib title for his commitment and selfless service to the people of Kashmir on 11 June 1942 by Viceroy & Governor-General of India on behalf of the British Government.
* 1946 - Sheikh Shahabuddin was conferred the title by Lord Wavell for being a genius in the mechanical field, and for his honesty.
* Aziz al-Hasan Ghouri
* 1940 Sahibzada Khurshid Ali Khan for his public services by the British India Government. He served in foreign service in Iraq and Sri Lanka. He belonged to Sahibzada family of Wayanwali, Punjab, Pakistan.